BusyB

Tea money for the cops is not the real problem. The real problem is that no insurance in the world will cover you when it turns out you didn't have a valid license for the vehicle you were driving/riding when you had the accident - even if you've been paying them premiums. They will simply refuse all liability. I once got insurance for a car from an agent because it was assumed I had a license, but they didn't ask to see it. I was going from military to civilian, and using an English license in Germany which was valid for 1 year. Afterwards I just kept paying the premiums and getting my no-claims bonuses but never bothered to get a German license. If I'd crashed, they wouldn't have paid. Actually they'd have paid third party because mandatory, but then claimed it back from me - a bad accident with deaths could have bankrupted me for life. In my old age now I don't do such stupid things as drive vehicles for which I'm not licensed or trained. There is a huge difference between driving a motor bike and riding one.

You have my commiserations, this must indeed be a total nightmare.

Or the intention is to force him to sell up cheap or buy them out expensive.

OK, I don't have direct experience but have followed these threads for years now. I can't imagine that it's pure coincidence that this guy sets up there just as you have half built a house. It would certainly be a good way of getting you to sell up cheap when the house is done ...??

Of course I have, but we were talking about religion as a form of substance abuse. Obviously opiates have a medical use. Belief in life after death less so in my opinion - equates with substance abuse. I borrowed from Marx's comment about religion being opium for the masses (although that's not quite what he said as I recall but it's what's gone into received wisdom). I'm actually in favor of general liberation of drugs and an end to the senseless, racist war on drugs, just for the record.

'heaven or hell - on Earth.' ... you missed the qualifier in your 'quote'. In the places most of us spoiled 1st world brats come from we have a pretty wide choice. Other places get made into hell where people get little choice except to survive by whatever means possible. I live a great life, but I'm extremely privileged. I made my life hell for many years though. When I die I don't expect to go anywhere else.

No I watched a couple of others destroy themselves with it and that was enough for me ... (I have extensive experience with drugs and alcohol.)

Or unless s/he's been brainwashed into thinking they'll go to 'heaven'.

Opium is bad for people whatever form it comes in, because it tricks people into believing things which aren't true. Not many people would be willing to die for some spurious god if they knew there's no such thing as heaven and your only real choice is heaven or hell - on Earth. Most would tell the hate sellers to get lost.

Death no. I am scared of being quadriplegic ... those things are an occasional necessity in LOS, otherwise I avoid them. (I can fly and dive - much safer)

Oh, I don't know. If I'm still on my feet and up to a reasonable quality of life, I'll always be curious to see what comes next. Imagine dying just before Apollo 11, or the fall of the Wall. But I doubt I'll make 94. I'd be happy with 85 in reasonable shape. Anything more is gravy. But falling apart and dependent on carers to wipe my backside, with only the TV to go adventuring on then I think I'd rather top myself. I think Dante said something on the lines of the pains of the death bed making all the triumphs of a life as worthless, because all you have at that moment is the pain and the knowledge it won't get any better - only worse. And those triumphs and their associated emotions are long long gone.

I was dead for about 13 billion years and never noticed it. I don't expect anything else at the other end.

Yeah, that's mine too. Sort of 'Hey folks it's been a great ride, but I really am tired and it's all getting to be a bit much. Time for sleep now'.

Well, yes and no. I too have done more than I ever imagined possible. And I accept death as inevitable and have no truck with all these afterlife superstitions (which are really just a way of denying the reality of death) whatever form they take. Dead is dead, deal with it. Once you've accepted that you have no need of any kind of 'metaphysical' superstition, and life is glorious and real and intense and you are genuinely free. My gym has the slogan 'One life, live it well'. I try. If it was to happen now, just about to retire and still young and fit enough to do a lot more, then I'd be very urinated to put it mildly. But I suppose I'd adapt to that like I've adapted to a couple of other major changes in life - maybe not, who knows. I have the advantage of having known several people who came to terms with an early death and they did it well and with dignity, serenity and even happiness. In the end I'm more concerned about the manner of my demise.

Good point, thanks for reminding me ...

And disease vectors ...

I can't be bothered ;D

Troll alert! I wonder how many Thais this character actually knows who joined on March 11 this year 555

Nice post. But when you read the whole story, it is sick how many still castigated China for 'overpopulation' even after being told it had nothing to do with China. That, unfortunately, is what we in the rational world are dealing with.

Not much space for dancing in a Learjet

I saw an article or maybe a video on this recently ... If you have a three year old BMW and fancy an upgrade and decide to go electric for it, then yes it is more polluting than waiting till the beamer really needs replacing and then going electric. That is because of all the extra production involved in producing the new car as well as the problems with lithium extraction, phenomenal amounts of water used for the batteries etc. I don't have a car and haven't for years, but if I was to buy one I'd go electric now. There are still gaps in the charger grid, but they're closing fast and electric where I live (1st. world) is a viable option now. And electric at least gets the noxious filth off the streets in cities. They're great fun to drive as well ... even a Golf goes like a rocket ;D

Lieland. Almost as bad as Johnson.

I rarely waste my time any more with people who post such arrogant twaddle who obviously have no concept of what public health is about or what it means to leave large portions of the population as walking Petri dishes. Dunning-Krüger says 'Hi!'. Thanks for saving me the time this time.

Many thanks ... makes sense (about the only thing in this mess that does ;D )

I'd also be interested in which proof the Thai authorities recognize for arrivals in LOS. I have German digital and WHO yellow booklet. Is at least the booklet recognized? There must be a pool of experience out there now after the sandbox projects ... If not, what do I need? Anyone know?